New-York tribune., 1887-12-12


Az the time approaches for the convention OF
Republican clubs, which begins at ChicKerihs
Hall on Thursday. the interest increases ana 'he
probability is that there will be present la'scr
number of representative men from all o'cl
the country many Of them men VINO nave never
before publicly identified themselves WIN pull
tics. than ever attended party coh'ch'loh'
The object is to meet together ana nave III
interchange of opinions ON labor, tarlh un'
other kindred questions Of interest TO the entire
country. in order that the delegates may famihar-
ize themselves with the real needs of the people
The convention is not to be held in the interest
of any man nor men, and those who have pre-
aicted otherwise will be very much disappointed.
Why should some of our officials have Tree
telephones at their houses? For what service Is
this courtesy an equivalent? And who are the
officials?
An interesting fact was disclosed by MIR. flalh-
day last Friday night at the Plymouth Church
PRAYER meeting He said that when the orthodoxy
of Plymouth Church was called into question
previous to the council when Drs. Storrs ana
I,udipgton refused to maintain fellowship with
Mr. Beecher, Mr.. Becchcr seriously thought Oh
Icsigning This may have been known by many
lecple in the church heretofore, but tho puolc
has not known that Mr.. Bcecher ever contem-
plated such a step. 1t would be curious 10
speculate as to the history both Of Mr.. Beecher
and the church if he had carried his intention
into effect.
Smoke and darkness are grave objections TO
underground railroads, rs every one who mas
travelled on them in London knows. When
New-York gets such road the tunnel can GER
tainIy be lighted by electricity, and the cars
probably and perhaps the trains can be run by
The same agent. That would certainly make un-
derground travel much more agreeable than 1t
would otherwise be.
Tn his official report to The Secretary OF the
Navy in connection with the grounding OF the new
cruiser Atlanta near Newport last summer, Cap
tain Bunce stated that the vessel was aground
only short time, that it was on sandy bottom,
and that no damage had been done to snip OF
propeller. An examination of the vessels bottom
discoses the fact that the damage done was
considerable. Her skin and frames were injured
and a propeller blade was broken, showing con-
c!usively that she must have grounded on rock
II is eypectcd that the diplomatic conference
between the future Ruler of Great Britain and
the present Dictator Of the ROped Arena, which
was ostensibly occupied with such matters as
"cross counters "iibbing with the left upper
cuts and swinging rghthanders." really covered
a dark conspiracy. Appalling rumors are in cir-
culation Oh both sides OF st. Georges Channel
that the Prince, at the iDstigation of the Tory
Prime Minister, was trying to induce Sullivan to
reduce Ireland to submission under the Coercion
Act There is authority, however, for stating
that the Pride of Boston sternly refused TO be
cajoled by the Master of Marlborough House.
The Brooklyn Civil Service Commission, which
has been stretching the law almost to the point
of breaking in its cagerncss to serve partisan ends,
has now made itself public laughing stock.
In its ridiculous position, however, it deserves
no sympathy That n trick has been played on it
in some way is clear, and that somebody connived
ut il is probable When man who can neither
read nor write is able to pass an examination
and get rank OF 07l2 rer cent, it is plain that
the Civil Service laws give no assurance of COM
petency-much less Of nonpartisanship pin the pub
lie service unless they arc administered by men
who believe in them and honestly try to carry
them out. That is just the trouble with Mr.
Whitneys commissioners TIE evidence taken by
the Assembly Committee showed not only that
they had strained the laws, but actually violated
them. Still nothing was done 70 bring them to
account Fortunately their term of Office will
soon expire. This scandal will not make Mayor
Whitneys last weeks at the City Hall particularly
cheerful. The wonder is that with the influences
surrounding and controlling the Mayors office
for two years past scandals have not been more
numerous. But they have been numerous enough
to make the people OF Brooklyn hope earnestly
for n different condition OF things under the
coming administration.
Is Mr.. Depcw responsible for President Cleve-
lands Free Trade ManifestoP At the recent ban
quet OF the Chamber Of Commerce Mr. Dcpew
uttered this challenge to Secretary Lamar, who
was present: II you will induce your party to
come out flat ooted for Free Trade, aud go before
the country upon that issue. the Republicans will